Network Rail’s Route Managing Director, Becky Lumlock (far right) was joined by MP for Windsor Adam Afriyie (centre), Councillor David Hilton, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and representatives from Osborne’s construction and South West Trains to mark the official completion of the £6.5 million fully-accessible footbridge at Ascot station

(Network Rail Image)

On Friday (14 July, 2017) Network Rail joined the MP for Windsor Adam Afriyie to mark the completion of its £6.5 million investment at Ascot station. The work to extend platforms and install a new, fully-accessible footbridge is part of the £800 million Waterloo & South West Upgrade to increase capacity into Waterloo by 30% by the end of 2018.

The new footbridge provides step-free access to all platforms via lifts, make journeys smoother for those with luggage, prams and mobility issues, while the longer platforms will allow South West Trains to operate longer trains with more space for passengers.

Becky Lumlock, route managing director at Network Rail, said:

“Our Railway Upgrade Plan is all about delivering a better railway for passengers, and the completion of the platform extensions and footbridge at Ascot is doing exactly that.

“Passengers will shortly be able to take full advantage of the longer trains, and once we have completed our work at Waterloo, we’ll be able to accommodate an extra 45,000 passengers – equivalent to more than the capacities of the O2 arena and Oval cricket ground combined – each morning and each evening. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we’ve upgraded their station.”

MP for Windsor Adam Afriyie, said:

“I am thrilled to open the new footbridge at Ascot station which is now in keeping with the beauty of the local area.

“Residents and racegoers can now enjoy a better experience and I’m delighted that we’re seeing year-on-year improvements to the Ascot area.”